Baku accuses Armenian lobby of influencing Georgian policies

January 29, 2014 - 18:38 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The so-called Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO), for want of a better justification of its existence, issued an open letter to Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili. The letter, predictably enough, focused on Armenians, or rather the dominance of Armenian lobby in Georgia's social and political life.

The authors of the statement urge the government of Georgia to pick a side, stressing that the Georgian Azeris' problems remain neglected. "The majority of local authorities are under the influence of the Armenian lobby, with Azeri settlements being renamed to carry Georgian names," the statement said. The observation is a questionable one, to say the least: if the tales of Armenian influence were true, it would only be logical for the settlements to carry Armenian names, rather than Georgian ones. Yet, according to KLO, this is just the start: later, Georgian names will be changed into Armenian ones.

The letter goes on to describe "anti-Azeri policies of Armenian nationalists, with the Armenian lobby determining Azeri-related policies of the government of Georgia."

By the way, accusing states of being under the influence of Armenian lobby is disrespectful to the formers. And, as Azerbaijan believes, there are many of them: Russia, U.S., France Germany, with Georgia added to the list.

KLO further lists all the plans of the Georgian government including opening of a market at the village of Teqali, construction of yet another road to Armenia, "incorrect" location of he Armenian-Georgian border. The message, however, stresses the authors' "reluctance to interfere with Georgia’s internal affairs, yet unable to stay indifferent in the face of the Azerbaijanis' problems." The letter goes on to assure Georgians of Azeri friendship in defiance of Russia's aggressive stance. However, the authors stress, the friendship is now threatened over the pro-Armenian policies of Tbilisi.

This, and many other statements, might well be quoted among the most ineffective methods of expressing one's stance. However, seems like Baku can’t do better. One wonders, who, beside the authors and journalists, would read such statements.

Moreover, the President of Georgia is well capable of picking his own course, with Armenians having no intention to dictate his actions, as opposed to Azeris. Baku should also keep in mind that currently Margvelashvili is busy starting a dialogue with Russia, so mentioning Moscow in this context was rather incorrect as far as Georgia, Russia, and Azerbaijan, as well, are concerned.